Proview filed court documents stating that Apple created a UK-based subsidiary called IP Application Development Ltd (IPADL) with the sole purpose of obtaining "the iPad trademarks while obscuring the relationship between Apple and the acquisition".

The iPad arrived in stores one month after the company was registered.

The Chinese firm is seeking unspecified damages and the nullification of a 2009 deal which saw the global rights to the term iPad transfer over to Apple for $55,000 (£35,000).

Apple is in turn accusing Proview of failing to honor the 2009 agreement. "We bought Proview's worldwide rights to the iPad trademark in 10 different countries several years ago," the company said in a statement.

"Proview refuses to honor their agreement with Apple in China and a Hong Kong court has sided with Apple in this matter. Our case is still pending in mainland China."